9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
28/01/1896
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
20
Summary
Robert George Hillen was the son of James and Mary J Hillen. Robert was born in Carnteel, County Tyrone on 28th January 1896. Robert was a labourer. Robert Hillen enlisted in Aughnacloy with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private Robert George Hillen was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
Further Information
Robert George Hillen was the son of James and Mary J Hillen. James Hillen and Mary Morton were married on 11th May 1888 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert was born in Carnteel, County Tyrone on 28th January 1896. He was one of seven children, all born in the Aughnacloy area.
The 1901 census lists Robert G as age 5, living with the family at house 7 in Cavan O'Neill, Tullyvar, County Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer.
Family: James Hillen, Mary J ‘Minnie’ Hillen, Emma J Hillen (born 29th March 1889), Samuel M Hillen (born 7th February 1892), William James Hillen (born 1st February 1894), Robert George Hillen (born 28th January 1896), Margaret E Hillen (born 5th May 1897), Charlotte R Hillen (born 16th August 1901), John Hillen (born 28th January 1904, died 7th June 1904).
The 1911 census records Robert George as age 15 living with the family at house 1 in Garvey, Tullyvar. Robert was a labourer. His father was a shepherd.
Robert Hillen enlisted in Aughnacloy with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private Robert George Hillen was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 17 August 1916:
Private Robert G Hillen, Tyrone Volunteers, has been missing since 1st July 1916, and a letter received from his commanding officer states that every possible enquiry has been made, and that there can be little doubt now that he fell on that date. He was a son of Mr James Gillen, Garvey, Aughnacloy.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
Private Robert G Hillen, Garvey, Aughnacloy, (Tyrone Volunteers), has been missing since 1st of July. Colonel Ricardo, D.S.O., has written to his father stating no trace can be found of him.
Private Hillen is buried in Thistle Dump Cemetery, near Albert in France.
